UK lawyers file case against Hasina at ICC

Three UK lawyers have filed a case against former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for genocide and crimes against humanity during the July-August uprising.

The lawyers asked the court to independently investigate the complaints against Hasina and other influential people in her government through the case.

Counsel for Mr. Ashraful Arefin, the plaintiff and counsel for Three Bolt Court Chambers, briefed the media about the case at a press conference at the London-Bangla Press Club on Friday (November 1).

“The case was filed under Article 15 of the Rome Statute of the ICC,” Ashraful said.

Lawyer Sarah Fore and lawyer Emil Lixandru are the other two lawyers, Ashraful informed the media.

“We have presented overwhelming evidence of Hasina’s violence and repression against protesters. The evidence includes witnesses, video footage and reliable information,” he said.

During the press conference, the lawyer also said that he filed the case with the ICC because he doubted that justice would be served in Bangladeshi courts.

“There is uncertainty that Hasina will be punished by the Bangladeshi court as she is currently receiving political support from India. India may be forced to cooperate internationally if the ICC issues an arrest warrant,” Ashraful added.

In an interview with India’s largest news agency PTI published on September 5, Chief Counsel Muhammad Yunus said former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should remain silent in India until Bangladesh demands her extradition.

His statement came after Hasina made political statements, which Yunus called “unfriendly”.

“Yes, she must be brought back, otherwise the people of Bangladesh will not be at peace. The kind of atrocities she has committed, she must be tried in front of everyone here,” he said while talking to PTI from he. official residence in Dhaka.

About ICC

​The International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals accused of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression.

Article 15 of the Rome Statute

According to Article 15 of the Rome Statute, the court may exercise jurisdiction based on information on the crime of aggression. In this case, the prosecutor can open investigations against the accused.

Events leading to charges against Hasina

Hasina fled to India from Bangladesh on August 5 after a student movement turned into a national protest against the leader.

She was forced to resign and flee the country in a military helicopter. She has been in India ever since, even as extradition requests mount.

Bangladesh has revoked the diplomatic passports of Hasina and her relatives, raising questions about whether she can remain in India and whether she faces possible extradition.